Pressure point materials storage, mixing, and delivery system

ABSTRACT

Closure systems for food containers, and methods for mixing foods in portable containers is disclosed, using new apparatus for closing portable containers to store and transport foods, and new processes for mixing those foods prior to final or on-site dispensing and use, in which the food mixing takes place within the container, generally prior to its opening, as chambers or compartments within a container are opened to other chambers or compartments within the same container by transmission of pressure or tension from the exterior of the container, to one or more points, lines, or channels in one or more walls of chambers within the container, thereby opening one or more channels between such chambers through which food, fluids, or materials may travel.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/067,034, from which applicant claims priority.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to closure systems for food containers,and methods for mixing foods in portable containers. More particularly,the present invention relates to a new apparatus and process for closingportable containers, for storing and transporting foods, and mixingthose foods prior to final or on-site dispensing and use. The foodmixing, like the storage and transport, takes place within thecontainer, generally prior to its opening, as chambers within thecontainer are opened to other chambers within the same container. Thefood mixing operation may utilize a variety of apparatus, but in eachapparatus a user, from the exterior of the container, transmits pressureor tension to one or more points, lines, or channels in one or morewalls of chambers within the container. The user thereby opens one ormore channels between such chambers through which food, fluids, or othermaterials may travel. In some apparatus, chambers may be created fromflexible or frangible material such that, with the application offurther pressure or tension, a user may forcefully eject the contents ofa chamber or chambers, and even meter and mix foods held within thecontainer. The present invention may be extended to uses outside thefood industries to store, transport, and mix drugs, paints, chemicals,and other materials prior to final dispensing and use.

BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION

Mixing of food in portable containers is not new. Processed foods,having relatively long shelf life when kept separate from other foods,have a greatly reduced shelf life when they are mixed with water orother fluids, or combined with fresh foods which have not been sotreated. Consumers of food products may be called upon, or find itdesirable, to store or transport their food, or eat it at a locationremote from its preparation. Thus, from before the time the “picnic” wasinvented, people have wished to carry different kinds of foods separatedfrom one another, and join or mix them at a location away from theirpoint of origin. Examples of this reduction of shelf life include (i)powdered foods, for which shelf life is reduced when combined with wateror other fluids to “reconstitute” them, (ii) concentrates, for whichshelf life is reduced when combined with water or other fluids to dilutethem, and (iii) pasturized foods, for which shelf life is reduced whencombined with other foods which have not been so treated.

As a result, a variety of methods and apparatus have been developed toassist the storage and transport of foods separate from one another, andlater mixing or dispensing of such foods prior to consumption. Theseapparatus include simple cups with tops, to more elaborate multi-chamberdevices. These earlier inventions are generally directed to the mixtureof two foods having different consistencies from separate containers inwhich the foods reside and are transported, and to the mixture of twofoods in a special-purpose mixing container which is not used totransport the foods themselves. In some cases, containers designed tostore or transport food and, at the same time, hold a tool useful forconsuming the food within the container might be adapted to hold twokinds of foods for later mixing, or mixing after transporting. Currenttechnology provides for hermetically sealing foods, for insulating themduring storage or transport, for mixing them in chambers withincontainers by opening one chamber to the other after the container hasbeen opened first, for mixing by rupturing frangible diaphragms ormembranes between chambers, and by opening plugged channels betweenthreaded chambers by “unscrewing” the chambers one from the next.

In attempting to provide containers for transporting foods (includingbeverages) and mixing foods at a place and time convenient to theconsumer of such foods, others have devised various apparatus. Suchapparatus within the prior art include:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,809 to Botzler, which discloses a multi-compartmentstirrer device, with exterior tear-away or perforated sealable tabsaffixed atop each compartment emptying slot, for food dispensing foodsor additives to a beverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,926 to Lattery, which discloses a powdered foodproduct mixing device, having a motor and rotatable shafts extendinginto the interior of the container, for mixing powdered food productwith liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,328 to Baron et al., which discloses an apparatusadapted to fit between a tubular container of a baby bottle and a nippleend cap, for storing a quantity of food material, with a releasemechanism threadably coupled to an upper end of a baby bottle, formixing such food material with the contents of the baby bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,405 to Justo, which discloses an apparatus forhousing and producing a final liquid comestible product (liquid babyformula) upon combination of initial (unmixed) liquid comestibles(powdered baby formula and water) residing in upper and lower chamberswithin the apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,328 B1 to Bezek et al., which discloses aconsumables container with multi-functional cap.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,134 B2 to Lloyd, which discloses a portable beveragedelivery system for preparing and delivering a multi-component beveragein which separate chambers house first and second beverage elements,which elements are mixed by rupture of a frangible wall between thechambers.

In the arena of baby bottles for holding formula particularly, a widevariety of portable containers have been developed for mixing formulawith water to produce ready to eat formula.

While the inventions disclosed in these prior patents fulfill theirrespective objectives, these prior patents do not describe or suggestcombination of foods prior to opening the container by application ofpressure or tension which is transmitted to the container interior toone or more points, lines, or channels in one or more walls of chamberswithin the container, thereby opening one or more channels between suchchambers through which food, liquids, gels, or solids may travel. Noapparatus in the prior art has been designed to store and/or transport anumber of foods in separate chambers within a single container and, withthe application of that pressure or tension, easily combine food inliquid form (or food suspended in liquid) with solid foods, and so allowmixing of such foods prior to opening the (storing and transporting)container. No apparatus in the prior art has been designed to allow easycombination of foods in a portable container before opening thecontainer merely by the application of tension, generally by pulling atab or ring. No apparatus in the prior art has been designed to combinetwo or more foods in liquid form, separated during transit, to solidfoods or liquid foods, in equal amounts, or in amounts controlled by thesize of the chambers in which the foods reside, or in amounts the usermay control as she controls the amount of pressure or tension exerted tothe exterior of the container. No apparatus in the prior art has beendesigned which allows a user to forcefully eject one or more foods intoone or more other foods in a sealed container, or allows a user toagitate foods in a sealed container once foods are combined, to fullymix such foods according to the wishes of the user, all prior to openingthe container, thereby limiting or eliminating loss of food from thecontainer (and consequent mess) as is the case of mixing in an opencontainer. No apparatus in the prior art has been designed which allowsdelivery of drugs or other materials, by positioning such drugs andmaterials at the most desirable location within a human or animal, andinjecting such drugs and materials from the containers within which theyare held, and even mixing drugs and such materials at such desiredlocations. And, finally, no method in the prior art has been devisedwhich accomplishes any of these desirable results in a single, portable,container, with or without multiple chambers. The present invention, onthe other hand, accomplishes all of these functions, in a portablecontainer in which the user may store and transport separated materials,and in which the user has control of the mixing or dispensing of foodsor other materials within the container prior to opening.

By utilizing the features of various embodiments of the presentinvention, and other features set forth below, one can accomplish allthese tasks, thereby allowing foods to be (1) prepared for consumptionseparately from other foods or liquids which accelerate degradation ofthe foods when they are combined, (2) packaged in a single, portable(and often sterile) container, (3) sealed in the container, (4)transported to a location and at a time convenient or desirable to theuser, (5) combined or dispensed in a sealed container to allow easymixing, or mixing in measured or desirable amounts, all without losingfoods to the environment outside the container and then, finally, (6)accessed after opening the container, so that a user may consume the nowmixed foods (or other materials) in a freshly-mixed condition.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Summary of the Invention

In its simplest form, the present invention comprises apparatus in theform of a portable container for mixing solid foods, or solid foods andfluids, or solid foods with foods suspended in liquids, without firstopening the container. The mixing is accomplished by means of an openingfeature which, when manipulated from the exterior of the container priorto opening, transmits pressure or tension to one or more points, lines,or channels in one or more walls of separate chambers within thecontainer. The chambers may be termed “compartments” in this patent, andsuch chambers or compartments may take a variety of forms, ranging fromchambers defined by additional walls formed within the walls of acontainer, to chambers defined by tubes or pouches, or other vesselswhich may be positioned within a container. Upon manipulation of theopening feature, the user thereby directly opens one or more channelsbetween chambers within the container, or the user pulls an end of thetubes or pouches through a narrowed opening in a member formed of rigidmaterial, thereby creating a channel between compartments by rupturingthe tubes or pouches. Once a channel is formed by these means, food, orfood and liquid, or other materials, may travel through the channel orchannels, thereby mixing the contents of such separate chambers. Thechannels (if the compartments are defined by separate walls within thecontainer) and the points, areas, or lines where channels will be formedupon rupture of a vessel within the container (if the compartments aredefined by tubes, pouches, or other vessels within the container) areformed at the time of manufacture of the container, prior to assemblywithin the container of the foods or other materials which are to becontained, or stored, or transported, or consumed, and prior to thefilling and sealing of the compartments of the container.

A first preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a container forstoring and transporting foods, the container having at least two, butperhaps more, separate first and second compartments. The compartmentsare separated from one another by a common wall, or by the separatewalls of each compartment, and each compartment is closed and sealed,either individually or with a common closure (the apparatus openingfeature, or “Closure”). Before closure, the interior of eachcompartment, and its contents may be sterilized. After closure andsealing with the Closure, the interior of each compartment of thecontainer is, by use of the Closure, hermetically sealed away from theenvironment outside the container, and hermetically sealed away from theinterior of each other compartment.

Each compartment may have a single volume, or one or more of thecompartments may have individual volumes within separate chambers opento the remainder of the compartments. Each compartment may be filledwith a combination of food and inert gas, such as nitrogen, to retardspoilage and decomposition. A first compartment (or at least onecompartment) of the first preferred embodiment, resides on top of,above, or over, the second compartment (or other compartments), andthere is in such embodiment a pre-formed channel between the firstcompartment and other compartments near the lowest point of the firstcompartment (the “Channel”).

Different foods are placed within separate compartments of the containerin the first embodiment, and sealed within each compartment, forsubsequent storage and transport. The foods within the container, inthis embodiment, primarily include at least one liquid (with or withoutfood additives) in the first compartment, and at least one solid food inthe second or other compartments. The opening of the Channel between thefirst compartment and other compartments therefore allows a liquid (or aliquid with food additive) to travel through the Channel, therebyallowing such liquid, in response to the urging of gravity, to fall intothe other compartments containing the solid food.

Prior to the opening of the first compartment (or compartments) to othercompartments in the first embodiment of the present invention, generallyat the time the container is manufactured, the Channel is closed by afirst frangible or pealable seal (the “First Seal”). The First Seal issituated over or within the mouth of the Channel during manufacture ofthe container, and is designed to be broken away from such positionduring the food mixing operation, if needed, thereby opening the Channelbetween the previously closed and sealed compartments.

Means for opening the first compartment to the other compartments issupplied in the first embodiment, generally by way of a tab or ringoutside the sealed container, connected to the First Seal by a tape,wire, string, lever, or other means for transmitting tension from thetab or ring to the First Seal (the “Tension Means”). The Tension Meansgenerally is formed to pass through the first compartment, therebyproviding tension in the proper direction to separate the First Sealfrom the Channel (however, the Tension Means may also pass betweencompartments, so that it does not pass through any individualcompartment).

As the Tension Means generally passes through the first compartment inthe first embodiment, a second seal (the “Second Seal”) is situatedaround the Tension Means as it passes out of the first compartment,either through a second wall of that compartment or through some otherportion of the Closure. The end of the Tension Means may be formed intoa tab or ring, or the Tension Means may be firmly attached to a tab orring, or other device by which the user may pull on the Tension Means.The Tension Means is also firmly attached at its other end to the FirstSeal. The Second Seal may be firmly attached to the Tension Means, witha frangible connection to the wall of the compartment (or to anotherpart of the Closure). Alternatively, the Second Seal may be firmlyattached to the wall or Closure, and simply close snugly around theTension Means, so that the Tension Means may slip through the SecondSeal as the user pulls on the Tension Means tab or ring.

In operation of the first preferred embodiment, then, the user pulls onthe Tension Means tab or ring, and the tension so created by the user istransmitted by the Tension Means to the First Seal, thereby applyingforce to that seal to break it away from its position over or in themouth of the Channel, thereby further allowing liquid to flow by gravityfrom the first compartment to the other compartments. As the TensionMeans moves in response to the tension created by the user, the SecondSeal also breaks away from the wall of the first compartment (or anotherportion of the Closure), or the Tension Means moves through the SecondSeal if the Second Seal is designed to allow such movement. As a result,at least one fluid (with or without food additives) contained within thefirst compartment flows out of the first compartment, and into at leastone other compartment, thereby combining the fluid of the firstcompartment with the solid already residing in at least one othercompartment of the container. After a desired amount of fluid flows fromthe first compartment to another compartment, the user may then open thecontainer, or first shake the container and then open it, or open it andmanually mix the contents of the container, and thereafter consume (orotherwise use) the mixed foods.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the foods primarilyinclude at least one liquid, but oftentimes two liquids (again, with orwithout additives) sealed in a compartment, generally formed as aflexible pouch (the “Pouch”) situated within a main compartment of acontainer (the “Main Compartment”). The Pouch may have one or moreseparate parts (or “Lobes”), and in one preferred embodiment has atleast two Lobes (a “First Lobe” and a “Second Lobe”), and the MainCompartment may have within it two or more chambers. The food or foodswithin the Main Compartment of the second embodiment may be liquid orsolid depending on the use desired, and the Main Compartment is closedand sealed at the time of food preparation with a closure (the “Lid”)which seals the food intended for the Main Compartment, the First Lobe(with its first liquid) and the Second Lobe (with its second liquid) allwithin the Main Compartment.

After closure and sealing with the Lid, the interior of the MainCompartment of the container of the second embodiment is, by use of theLid, hermetically sealed away from the environment outside thecontainer, and the interior and its contents may be maintained insterile condition if required. After closure, the first fluid is alsohermetically sealed within the First Lobe of the Pouch, away from theinterior of each other compartment (i.e., the interior of the MainCompartment and the interior of the Second Lobe of the Pouch), and thesecond liquid is hermetically sealed within the Second Lobe, again awayfor the interior of each other compartment. As with other embodiments ofthe present invention, each compartment may be filled with a combinationof food (or fluid with additive) and inert gas, such as nitrogen, toretard spoilage and decomposition. The First and Second Lobes of thePouch of the second embodiment reside on top of, above, or over, thecontents of the Main Compartment (or compartments). The Lobes of thePouch are generally formed from a flexible polyvinyl material,approximately two millimeters (2 mil) in thickness (although thethickness may vary).

The Lobes of the Pouch are formed with a frangible area or line, whicharea or line is designed to rupture when the Lobes are manipulated,thereby causing a rise in pressure in the fluid within the Lobes. Therise in pressure necessary to cause such rupture is predetermined, anddesigned to be incorporated into the second embodiment upon manufacture,but in all cases the frangible area or line will rupture before anyother part of the Lobes of the Pouch rupture. The frangible area or linemay be located at the periphery of the Lobes, or it may be locatedanywhere else in the flexible material forming the Lobes found to bedesirable for spreading the contents of the lobes over or into thecontents of the Main Compartment. In one version of the second preferredembodiment, each Lobe of the Pouch is formed from two polyfilm sheets,the Lobes being sealed around their perimeters by application of heatafter being filled with their fluid and other contents, and attached toa pull-tab.

Different foods are placed within each compartment of the container ofthe second embodiment, and sealed within each compartment, forsubsequent storage and transport. The foods within the container, inthis embodiment, primarily include at least one liquid (with or withoutfood additives) in the Lobe or Lobes of the Pouch, and at least oneeither solid or liquid food, or a combination of both solid and liquidfoods, in the Main Compartment. Each Lobe may contain the same ordissimilar liquids. For example, Edible oil may be placed in one Lobe,and vinegar may be placed in the other Lobe, thereby producing a saladdressing for lettuce residing in the Main Compartment. The opening ofthe Pouch at the frangible portions of its Lobes therefore allows aliquid (or a liquid with food additive) to travel through the openingcreated by pressure at the frangible portion, thereby allowing suchliquid, in response to the pressure so applied, to fall into the MainCompartment containing the other foods. Thus, using again the example ofa salad with dressing, mixed greens or vegetables in the MainCompartment may be dressed immediately prior to use as a mixed salad,after storage or transport by the user. The user may thereby preservethe fresh character of the newly-dressed greens or vegetables, and thesalad may therefore be consumed even after considerable time, or aftertraveling considerable distance, without any discernable wilting andprior to any decomposition of its ingredients.

Prior to the breaking of the frangible portion (or portions) of thePouch, and consequent release of liquids from its Lobes to the MainCompartment, the Pouch is situated near the underside of the Lid (whenthe container is oriented Lid-side up) in one version of the secondembodiment, and preferably secured to the Lid by releaseable adhesive.This placement and fastening allows the Lobes to peel off the Lid whentension is applied by a user. The securing of the Lobes of the Pouch ofthe Lid also allows the “nesting” or stacking of Lids prior to fillingthe Main Compartment, as nested Lids may be efficiently stored to savespace prior to use.

The Lid is further provided with an opening, generally in the shape of aline, but in some embodiments in the shape of a break, slot, or hole(the Opening) through which may pass a means for manipulating the Pouchto create pressure within its Lobes. The Opening may be as simple as aslit or hole, formed in the Lid, through which a portion of the Pouchmay pass, or the opening may in addition have a seal situated within oraround it to keep liquids within the Main Compartment. The seal, whenused, is also situated around the Pouch as its extends through the Lid(during operation of the invention immediately prior to consumption ofthe contents of the container).

Means for applying tension to the Pouch through the Opening in the Lidis supplied, generally by way of a tab or ring outside the sealedcontainer, connected to the Lobes of the Pouch by a paper or plastictape (the “Tension Means”). The Tension Means generally passes throughthe Opening in the Lid, thereby allowing a user to exert tension on theLobes of the Pouch, by pulling of the Pouch, filled with food mass orgases, through the opening, from the exterior of the container utilizingthe Tension Means. The end of the Tension Means may be formed into a tabor ring, or the Tension Means may be firmly attached to a tab or ring,or other device by which the user may pull on the Tension Means. Bypulling on the Tension Means, therefore, a user may thereby createhydraulic pressure within the Lobes of the Pouch, and to release fluidsfrom the Lobes through the frangible areas (when broken open asexplained below) as a result of the hydraulic effect. A seal in oraround the Opening, if employed, also then surrounds the Tension Means,and may be firmly attached to the Tension Means, with a frangibleconnection to the Lid, so that the seal separates from the Lid and moveswith the Tension Means during operation as set forth below.Alternatively, the seal may be firmly attached to the Lid in or near theOpening, and simply close tightly around the Tension Means, so that theTension Means may slip through the seal as the user pulls on the tab orring.

The Tension Means is formed to pass through the Opening near the centerof Lid in one version of the second embodiment of the present invention,thereby providing tension in the proper direction to create pressurewithin the Lobes of the Pouch as the Lobes are pulled through theOpening. At the same time, the tension transmitted by the Tension Meansto the Pouch separates the Lobes from the underside of the Lid, andpulls the Lobes toward the center of the Lid. Of course, the TensionMeans may, in the alternative, also pass through a line at one side ofthe Lid, with the result that the contents of a single Lobe will beforcefully ejected from the frangible portion of that Lobe as thefrangible portion is pulled across the entire contents of the MainCompartment.

In operation, the user pulls on the tab or ring of the Lid, and thetension so created by the user is transmitted by the Tension Means tothe Pouch, thereby applying force to its Lobes residing near theunderside of the Lid, and preferably secured to the Lid by releaseableadhesive. When such force is applied to the Lobes, they are urged towardthe Opening in the Lid, and so the Lobes peel off of, or away from, theLid, the releaseable adhesive securing the Lobes to the Lid giving wayso the Lobes may separate from the Lid. By continued application oftension through the Tension Means, the user pulls the frangible portionsof the Pouch toward the Opening, and the portions of the Lobes initiallyresiding nearer the center of the Lid are pulled toward, and thenpartially through the Opening. As the Lobes are pulled through theOpening, the Lobes are also squeezed as they enter the Opening, therebydecreasing the volume within the Lobes of the Pouch. As liquids arelargely incompressible, the decreasing volume increases pressure withinthe Lobes, while also stretching the material from which the Lobes areconstructed, and particularly stretching the material at the frangibleportions of the Lobes. Accordingly, by continued application of tension,the frangible portions of the Lobes break open at the predeterminedbreak point pressure, thereby allowing fluids to exit the Lobes of thePouch, and liquids within the Lobes begin to be released to the MainCompartment.

By continued application of tension, the user pulls additional materialof the Pouch to and through the Opening in the Lid, thereby maintainingsome pressure within its Lobes (less than the break point pressure),which pressure when maintained forcefully ejects the contents of theLobes from the now-open frangible areas at the end of each Lobe distalfrom the Opening. As the user pulls additional material of the Pouch toand through the Opening in the Lid, the openings created at thefrangible portions of the Lobes are also moved across the contents ofthe Main Compartment, as the frangible portions of the Lobes residinginitially near the exterior wall of the Main Compartment are, in oneversion of the second embodiment, pulled toward the Opening at thecenter of the Lid (and in other versions of the second embodiment pulledfrom one side of the Main Compartment to the Opening near (he other sideof the Main Compartment).

In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, this inventionagain comprises a largely vertical mixing container for storing antransporting foods, the container having a top or cover. A plastic tube,pouch, or other compartment, may be inserted through the top of thecontainer, through a whole or slot (the “Aperture”), and extended intothe interior of the container, and deployed within the compartment sothat it is situated over or within other foods. The tube in suchembodiment would contain another food, such as salad dressing, andextend through the Aperture, however tube may also be moved through aslot in the cover from its position in the Aperture to approximately thecenter of cover to optimally deploy the tube and its contents withincontainer. At its deployed location (the “Pinch Point”), such a slotprovides a restriction, through which the tube may be drawn as a userapplies tension to that portion of the tube which may extend outside thecontainer. In the best mode, the tube has attached to it a pull tab orring, or other gripping means by which a user may apply tension to theend of the plastic tube. The tab or ring generally will reside outsidethe container so a user may easily grasp it, and the tab or ring may beflexible or jointed, so that it may be folded adjacent the top of thecover, or rigid. A rigid tab or ring may still be folded against the topof the cover, as the tap or ring is held in place partially by theflexible tube or some flexible means for attaching to the tube.

The tube is composed of any material which, while flexible, does notstretch materially, but may rupture upon increase of pressure within thetube.

A number of plastic materials commonly in use meet such requirements.Such pressure may also force rupture of the tube if a portion of theclosed tube, generally at its end, comprises plastic having a thicknessless than that of the rest of the tube (i.e., it may have a frangiblepoint, line, or section), or unfolding in the end of a folded tube whenpressure is increased within the tube. In this way, the tube may bedesigned to rupture at a predetermined location by thinning of the tubematerial or by scoring or by other means.

Upon applying tension to the end of the plastic tube near or extendingthrough the cover, some of the tube, or all of it, may be pulled up andthrough the cover Pinch Point, or any similar portion formed anywhereelse in the container. The Pinch Point is of a dimension smaller thanthe exterior of the tube when the tube is filled so that, when a portionof the tube is pulled through the Pinch Point, the volume in the tube isdecreased. As the volume within the tube is decreased, the(non-compressible) fluid within the tube creates or increases pressurewithin the tube, and the tube then ruptures.

As a user continues to apply tension to the end of the tube, or to thetab or ring to which the tube is attached, continued pressurenecessarily forces the contents of the tube out of the tube. Thus, thecontents will exit the end of the tube away from the tab or rings if theend of the tube is a simple opening in a tube having smallcross-sectional dimension. The contents may instead exit the tube at apoint intended by the manufacturer at the frangible point, line, orsection formed in the tube by prior design. The container or its covermay additionally have an opening wider than the Aperture, by which onewho fills the container may insert the tube into the container, and movethe tube or pull tab, or connecting member between the tube and pull tabor ring, so that the tube is optimally positioned within the containerfor filling and subsequent use.

In one particularly useful variation on the third preferred embodimentof the present invention, two or more tubes or pouches are situatedwithin the vertical mixing container, preferably each with its own pulltab or ring. In such additional pouches, additional materials may bestored for use, and eventually mixed with the materials in the firsttube, or mixed only with the materials in the container, if any,residing outside the first tube, or mixed with both. One example of suchan arrangement is a “baby bottle,” used to feed formula to infants. Insuch an arrangement, water may be stored in a second compartment (apouch) within the bottle, and occupy most of its volume, while the tubeor other first compartment holds formula or powdered milk. Upon use, aparent may pull the tab on the compartment containing the water, andpull the tab on the compartment containing the formula, therebyreleasing each of these materials into the interior of the container.Upon shaking the bottle to mix its contents, and perhaps heating thecontents, the mixed formula is now ready for consumption by an infantusing a nipple attached to, and creating a channel through, the top orcover.

In a fourth very simple embodiment of the present invention, thisinvention again comprises a container for storing and transportingfoods, the container having at least two separate compartments. Thecompartments are separated from one another by the wall of the firstcompartment, as the first compartment (the inner compartment) resideswithin the second compartment (the outer compartment). Before closure,the interior of each compartment and its contents may be sterilized.Each compartment is closed and sealed individually. Thus, after closureand sealing, the interior of each compartment of the container ishermetically sealed away from the environment outside the container, andhermetically sealed away from the interior of each other compartment.

The inner compartment of the fourth preferred embodiment may have asingle volume, or individual volumes within separate chambers. Eachcompartment of the container may be filled with a combination of foodand inert gas, such as nitrogen, to retard spoilage and decomposition.The inner compartment resides within the outer compartment, and there isin the inner compartment of such embodiment a pre-formed channel betweenthe inner compartment and outer compartment, formed in the wall of theinner compartment (the “Channel”). The wall of the inner compartment isgenerally rigid or semi-rigid in character, so that a sealing device maybe used to seal the Channel, while the wall of the outer compartment isgenerally flexible enough that a user may manipulate the sealing deviceof the inner container through the wall of the outer container. Ofcourse, the container may include multiple inner compartments in otherembodiments, each of such inner compartments containing a different foodor combination of fluids and foods.

Different foods are placed within separate compartments of the containerin the fourth embodiment, and sealed within each compartment, forsubsequent storage and transport. The foods within the container, inthis embodiment, primarily include at least one liquid (with or withoutfood additives) in the inner compartment, and at least one solid food inthe outer. The opening of the Channel between the inner compartment andthe outer compartment therefore allows a liquid (or a liquid with foodadditive) to travel through the Channel, thereby allowing such liquid totravel into the outer compartment containing the solid food.

Prior to the opening of the inner compartment (or compartments) to outercompartment in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, generallyat the time the container is manufactured, the Channel is closed by afirst frangible or pealable seal (the “First Seal”). The First Seal issituated over or within the mouth of the Channel during manufacture ofthe container, and is designed to be broken away from such positionduring the food mixing operation, thereby opening the Channel betweenthe previously closed and sealed compartments. Means for opening theinner compartment to the other compartments is supplied in the fourthembodiment, generally by way of a tab or lever outside the inner sealedcontainer. Means for opening the outer compartment, to supply access tothe contents of the outer compartment, is also supplied, generally byway of a plastic zipper. However, the flexible outer compartment mayalso be accessed by merely tearing the outer compartment open by hand.

In operation of the fourth preferred embodiment, then, the user movesthe tab or lever residing on the inner compartment, thereby applyingforce to the seal of the inner compartment, thereby breaking it awayfrom its position over or in the mouth of the Channel. The user's accessto the tab or lever is through the flexible outer wall of the outercompartment, rather than directly. By moving the seal, the user allowsfluids to flow from the inner compartment to the outer compartment.After a desired amount of fluid flows from the inner compartment toouter compartment, the user may then open the outer compartment of thecontainer, or first shake the container and then open it, or open it andmanually mix the contents of the container, and thereafter consume (orotherwise use) the mixed foods.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, this invention comprisesa medical apparatus for delivery of a drug or other materials tospecific, and generally difficult to reach, locations within the body ofa patient. The medical apparatus utilizes the pinch point concept of thepresent invention in a tube of appropriate length and diameter, one endof which may be, and is designed to be, inserted into an artery or vein.At the end of the tube which is to be inserted in to a vein, andgenerally immediately within the distal tip of such end, a pouch havinga diameter smaller than the end of the tube may be placed. Proximate tosuch pouch, the tube in one version of the fifth preferred embodiment ismodified, or additional material is added to the interior of the tube,so that the diameter of the tube is reduced, or a restriction isotherwise created on its interior. With such modification orrestriction, the pouch, when filled, cannot pass proximally up the tubewithout first rupturing and spilling its contents into the distal end ofthe tube.

To the pouch is attached a steel wire, nylon cord, or other tensionmeans, the length of which is approximately that of the tube. The lengthof the tension means is extended into and through the tube, so that itis attached to the pouch at one end, and extends from the tube at itsother end. At the other end of the tube, away from the pouch, a pull tabor ring, or other means, is affixed to the tension means, so that a usermay actuate the tab, thereby pulling the pouch toward and into therestriction adjacent the pouch, as the tension means transmits tensionfrom the tab to the pouch. As the pouch is pulled into the restrictionat the end of the tube, the pouch decreases in diameter thereby puttingpressure on the contents of the pouch, and eventually rupturing thepouch. The rupture may occur at or along a frangible point or sectiondesigned into the pouch, generally at its end away from the tensionmeans. The rupture may also occur at other points in the side of thepouch as a consequence of the pouch being punctured by one or more sharpprojections affixed to the interior surface of the tube or to a surfaceof the restriction. Upon rupture of the pouch, a drug or other materialsmay be released from the pouch. As the distal end of the tube is open,while the restriction in the tube is narrower than the distal end, thedrug or other materials will migrate in the fluid of the blood of apatient, and find its way to the location intended for treatment.

In use, the tube of the present invention is inserted into a patient,generally into a vein or artery, and extended through such vein orartery until it is at or adjacent the location intended for treatment.An operator then pulls the tab or ring, or other means for applyingtension to the tension means, the pouch is pulled toward and into therestriction in the distal end of the tube thereby increasing thepressure within the fluids within the tube, the pouch ruptures inresponse to such increase in pressure (or by action of the sharpprojections within the end of the tube), and the drug or other treatmentmaterials are released to the blood stream at or immediately adjacentthe treatment area.

The effectiveness of the medical device of the present invention may beenhanced in some instances by providing a positive fluid pressure in thetube, and additional width or diameter in the channel or space throughthe restriction. Such positive fluid pressure will act to moveadditional fluid in the tube (such as Ringer's solution) through therestriction and out the distal end of the tube, thus carrying the drugor other treatment material residing in the end of the tube out into theblood stream. The effectiveness of the medical device of the presentinvention also may be enhanced in some instances by providing two ormore pouches, as a variety of materials may thereby be carried to thelocation intended for treatment in a single procedure, and in some casestwo or more materials may be mixed at the location. As with otherembodiments of the present invention, the pouch of the medical deviceis, before closing the drug within, and its contents, may be sterilized.After closure and sealing, the interior of the pouch is hermeticallysealed away from the environment outside the tube.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined,rather broadly, so that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. Additional features of specificembodiments of the invention will be described below. However, beforeexplaining preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, it may benoted briefly that the present invention substantially departs frompre-existing apparatus and methods of the prior art, and in so doingprovides the user with the highly desirable ability to store, transport,mix, and dispense foods and fluids at a location distant from theirpreparation, and at a time later than their preparation, using a varietyof specific apparatus and methods. Each such apparatus and method setforth above is an example of the invention as a whole. However, thepresent invention is best considered as all aparatii and methods whichallow a user to reach these goals by means of the application ofpressure or tension from the exterior of such aparatii, prior to openingsuch aparatii to the exterior environment, which pressure or tension istransmitted to the interior of the apparatus to create pressure. In mostpreferred embodiments, the pressure is created as one or more pouchesare drawn to, and at least partially into or through a narrowing “pinchpoint,” slot, or channel, whereupon frangible portions of the pouchrupture. Ruptured pouches release fluids which then mix with othermaterials, or are otherwise released at desirable locations.

The general principle embodied in this broad statement of operation maybe appreciated when separately considering the construction andoperation of tubes or pouches within a pinch point as disclosed in thisinvention, then by considering how the tube or pouch may be positionedin, and operate, in rigid and flexible containers. Examples of thepresent invention which illuminate the broad concept embodied in theinvention include:

-   -   1. Mere tubes or pouches extending through, and residing        partially through, slots or pinch points in rigid material. The        rigid material may be part of a top or cover to be placed over        the opening of a rigid container, or incorporated into the wall        of a flexible container, in a fluid tight fashion. One end of        such tubes or pouches may be collapsed or gathered after the        tube is situated within the pinch point, and the end of the tube        extending from the container generally joined with a means to        pull the tube or pouch through the pinch point. In operation,        the the tube or pouch in such a simple arrangement initially        resides almost entirely below the rigid material, with tube end        and ring extending little above the pinch point, however the but        or pouch is drawn through the pinch point in the rigid material        as a user employs the pull means too apply tension to the end of        the tube. In this process, the volume of tube is reduced,        pressure is increased within the tube, the tube eventually        ruptures, and its contents are dispelled.    -   2. Mere tubes or pouches positioned in, and operating in, in        flexible containers, formed from flexible plastic or other        flexible material, in which first and second tubes extend into        container after manufacture, and extend out from the container        through a pinch point formed in rigid material. In operation, a        user may deploy the contents of one or both tubes into the        container using the process of the invention disclosed herein,        merely by pulling on one or both pull rings attached to the        exterior end of the tubes.    -   3. Mere tubes or pouches positioned in, and operating in, in        rigid containers, and in tops for such rigid containers, in        which and end of a tube extends through a pinch point formed in,        or attached to, a top or closure which may be formed in sizes to        fit over the openings of containers of standard size.    -   4. Mere tubes or pouches positioned in, and operating in, rigid        materials having pinch points, positioned in the wall or walls        of flexible containers, which containers have exit chutes or        shafts for allowing water or other materials within container to        escape. One example of such an arrangement may be found in        medical “unit” bags used to supply fluids or blood or medicine        to patients.    -   5. Tube and pouch assemblies comprising content dispensing tubes        extending through, and residing partially through, slots or        pinch points in rigid material, and container tubes which, in        its initial position is collapsed, but in such position is affix        to the container tube, and encases it, and to the rigid material        to form a fluid tight arrangement around the container tube. In        operation, the container tube or pouch initially resides almost        entirely below the rigid material, with tube end and ring        extending little above the pinch point, however the tube or        pouch is drawn through the pinch point in the rigid material as        a user employs the pull means too apply tension to the end of        the tube. In this process, the volume of tube is reduced,        pressure is increased within the tube, the tube eventually        ruptures, and its contents are dispelled. Meanwhile, the        container tube is extended as the end of the container tube        attached to the dispensing tube is drawn away from the rigid        material, and the end of the container tube attached to the        rigid material is held in place. As the container tube is        affixed to the dispensing tube and to the rigid material by        fluid-tight means, fluids are limited to and retained within the        container tube.

With the ability to open chambers within a container as a whole prior tousing, the user may mix solid and liquid foods, or fluid to fluid, andmix these things more efficiently and cleanly, and often with greatercontrol over the mixing process. Such delayed mixing results in thedesirable ability to keep materials fresher and more usable to a timeand location chosen by a user, where earlier mixing of such materialsmay reduce freshness or usability.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a variety ofcontainers by which a user may store at least two separate materialsseparately within such containers, store such materials within suchcontainers if desirable, and mix such materials within such containers.

A further principal object of the present invention is to provide avariety of containers for mixing foods prior to opening the containers,thereby reducing waste and mess.

A further principal object of the present invention is to provide avariety of containers by which materials which degrade when mixed may bestored and transported separately, and then mixed at a later time or ata remote location, to thereby keep such materials in undegradedcondition.

A further principal object of the present invention is to provide avariety of containers by which foods may be stored and transportedseparately, and then mixed at a later time or at a remote location, tothereby keep such foods fresh.

A further principal object of the present invention is to providemechanisms for opening separate compartments within containers to othercompartments within those containers, prior to opening such containers.

A further principal object of the present invention is to provide amedical device for delivering drugs or other treatment directly to alocation to be treated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate four embodiments of the presentinvention, and such drawings, together with the description set forthherein, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross-section drawing of one preferred container of thepresent invention, which shows two compartments, a channel between suchcompartments, and a closure for such channel consisting of a tensionmeans attached to a tab or ring on one end, and attached to a seal atits other end. FIG. 1 also shows a second seal which keeps materialswithin the container during storage or transport, but allows movement ofthe tension means during mixing of the contents of the compartments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section drawing of the container shown in FIG. 1 inwhich a user is applying force to the tension means thereby breaking thefirst seal, opening the channel between compartments within thecontainer.

FIG. 3 top down view drawing of a lid with a pull tab, consistent with asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the lidmay be affixed to a variety of containers of standard size orconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a cross section drawing of the lid of FIG. 3 showing the pulltab appearing in FIG. 3 and, on the other or under side of the lid, apouch consisting of two lobes, within which two or more materials may beplaced and stored before mixing.

FIG. 5 is a top down view of the lid of FIG. 3 showing the underside ofthe lid, and the pouch consisting of two lobes, within which two or morematerials may be placed and stored before mixing.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the pouch, with two lobes, which may beattached to the lid of FIG. 3, along with the tension means appearing inFIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the lid appearing in FIG. 3, in which the pouchappearing in FIG. 4 has been squeezed as it is drawn by the tensionmeans appearing in FIG. 6 through the opening through which the tensionmeans extends upon manufacture.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view drawing of a vertical mixing containerconsistent with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein a tube or other compartment containing fluids has been insertedthrough the top of the container, first to position the pull tab whereit may be pulled through the pressure points, and extended into theinterior of the container, and a pull tab resides on the top, outsidethe container, for applying pressure to the contents of the interiortube or compartment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view drawing of the vertical mixing container ofFIG. 8, in which the vertical container has been fitted with twointerior compartments, one for water and the other for powdered milk,and a nipple, in an arrangement suitable for a baby bottle.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view drawing of the present invention,wherein an inner compartment is enclosed within an outer compartment,and a channel with closure is provided in the wall of the innercompartment for the flow of fluids from the inner compartment to theouter compartment when a user operates a closure over such channel.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a medical device utilizing thepinch point concept of the present invention, in which a tube has beeninserted into an artery or vein, and a drug my be released from a pouchresiding in the end of the tube by pulling on a tension means at theother end of the tube (thereby pulling the pouch toward and into a slotor channel in the tube to create pressure within the pouch).

FIG. 12 is a perspective view drawing of the present invention, whereina tube or pouch extends through a slot or pinch point in rigid material,which material may be part of a top or cover to be placed over theopening of a rigid container, or incorporated into the wall of aflexible container, in a fluid tight fashion.

FIG. 13 is the same tube, pinch point, and pull ring appearing in FIG.12, but FIG. 13 shows this arrangement from an angle of rotation ofabout 90 degrees.

FIG. 14 through FIG. 17 is a series of figures in which the tube of FIG.12 and FIG. 13 is again seen from an angle of rotation of about 90degrees, in which the operation of the present invention may be seen asa user draws the tube through the pinch point using the pull ring,thereby breaking the tube and dispelling its contents.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the present invention when deployed in(a portion of) a container having flexible walls, in which the presentinvention is deployed utilizing two tubes such as those shown in FIG.12, with two corresponding pinch points such as those shown in FIG. 12,and two corresponding pull rings such as those shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the present inventionemployed in the top of a rigid container, and then, in FIG. 20 as thattop is situated to close the opening of such container.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the present invention incorporated intoa flexible container (shown in cross section), wherein the flexiblecontainer is similar to a medical “unit” bag used to supply fluids topatients, and wherein exit chutes may allow the materials residingwithin container to escape after the mixing of one or more additives tosuch materials.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view drawing of the present invention, whereina dispenser tube extends through a slot or pinch point in rigidmaterial, similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 12, in which a secondcontainer tube is sealed on a rigid mounting member, and sealed aroundthe tube, each in a fluid tight fashion, whereby the contents of thedispenser tube or pouch may be dispelled as a user pulls the dispensertube through the pinch point using a pull ring.

FIG. 23 is the same tube, pinch point, and pull ring appearing in FIG.22, but FIG. 23 shows this arrangement from an angle of rotation ofabout 90 degrees.

FIG. 24 through FIG. 27 is a series of figures in which the dispensertube of FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 is again seen from an angle of rotation ofabout 90 degrees, in which the operation of the present invention may beseen as a user draws the tube through the pinch point using the pullring, thereby breaking the tube and expelling its contents, while thecontainer tube sealed to the dispenser tube and the rigid base materialinsures all fluids remain within a container to which the rigid materialis attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in cross section. In FIG. 1 a container 1 for storingand transporting foods is shown with a closure 2 is situated across topof container 1. With closure 2 in place over top of container 1,separate first compartment 3 and second compartment 4 are created incontainer 1. Separate first compartment 3 may be created by compartmentwall 3 a and closure 2 or, in the alternative, separate firstcompartment 3 may be created by wall 3 a and a second wall 3 b (notshown) residing under closure 2. Separate second compartment 4 may becreated by container wall 4 a and backside of wall 3 a of separate firstcompartment 3. Separate first compartment 3 and separate secondcompartment 4 are closed and sealed, generally after the interior ofeach compartment is sterilized, and each compartment is filled with asubstance, generally separately contained foods in combination withinert gas, such as nitrogen, to retard spoilage.

Between first compartment 3 and second compartment 4 of FIG. 1, apre-formed channel 5 is formed, generally near the lowest point of firstcompartment 3. Channel 5 is closed by a first frangible or pealablefirst seal 6, situated over or within the mouth of channel 5 duringmanufacture of container 1. First seal 6 is designed to be broken awayfrom its position over mouth of channel 5 during the food mixingoperation, thereby opening channel 5 between previously closed andsealed first compartment 3 and second compartment 4. The opening ofchannel 5 between first compartment 3 and second compartment 4 allows afluid (or a fluid with food additive) to travel through channel 5,thereby allowing the contents of first compartment 3 to fall into secondcompartment 4 in response to the urging of gravity.

Means for opening first compartment 3 to second compartment 4 appears inFIG. 2 in the form of a tab or ring 10, having a hole 11 removablyaffixed to the upper side of closure 2. Tab 10 is connected to firstseal 6 by a tape 12 transmitting tension from tab 10 to first seal 6.Tape 12 is formed to pass through first compartment 3, thereby providingtension in the proper direction to separate first seal 6 from channel 5.A second seal 13 is situated around tape 12 as it passes out of anopening 14 in closure 2 from first compartment 3. Second seal 13 may befirmly attached to tape 12, with a frangible connection to wall 3b offirst compartment 3 (or to closure 2 where first compartment 3 iscreated by wall 3a and closure 2). Alternatively, second seal 13 may befirmly attached to wall 3 b or closure 2, and simply close snugly aroundtape 12, so that tape 12 may slip through second seal 13 as the userpulls on tape 12 using tab 10. The interior of each compartment may besterilized and filled with food or other materials, and such food orother materials may be sterilized prior to such filling. After closureand sealing with closure 2, the interior of each compartment ofcontainer 1 is, by use of the closure, hermetically sealed away from theenvironment outside the container, and hermetically sealed away from theinterior of each other compartment.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second cross section of the first preferredembodiment of FIG. 1 is shown as it is operated by a user. FIG. 2 showsall components of container 1 of FIG. 1, and in addition shows how auser may, in operation of the first preferred embodiment, pull on tab 10using hole 11, thereby breaking tab 10 away from closure 2 with theapplication of tension to tape 12. The tension so created by the user istransmitted by tape 12 to first seal 6, thereby applying force to firstseal 6 to break it away from its position over the mouth of channel 5,thereby further allowing fluid to flow by gravity from first compartment3 to second compartment 4. As tape 12 moves in response to the tensioncreated by the user, second seal 13 also breaks away from wall 3 b offirst compartment 3 (or away from closure 2 when closure 2 is used toclose first compartment 3), or tape 12 moves through second seal 13 ifsecond seal is designed to allow such movement. As a result, at leastone fluid (with or without food additives) contained within firstcompartment 3 flows out of first compartment 3, and into secondcompartment 4, thereby combining the fluid of first compartment 3 withthe solid already residing second compartment 4 of container 1.

Second Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the present invention isshown in a top down view drawing. In FIG. 3, lid 21 of the secondembodiment also shows a pull tab 22, with a hole or ring 23 extendingthrough an opening a-a near the center of lid 21. Lid 21 may be affixedto a variety of containers of standard size or configuration (notshown), and cover the main compartment of such containers (also notshown).

FIG. 4 shows lid 21 of FIG. 3 in cross section, with flexible pouch 24affixed to the underside of lid 21. Pouch 24 in FIG. 4 has a first lobe24 a and a second lobe 24 b, and each of these lobes are attached topull tab 22 near the center of lid 21. In FIG. 4, pull tab 22 has beenmoved to a vertical position extending from opening a-a near the centerof lid 21, having been previously deployed from its storage positionagainst the top of lid 21. Lid 21 is otherwise of standardconfiguration, having a lip 27 which may be engaged with the edge of thesubstantially vertical wall of a generally circular container (notshown). Foods or other fluids may be placed in pouch 24, which is thensealed to contain the contents so placed. When lid 21 is then placedover the main compartment of a container of standard size orconfiguration (not shown), pouch 24 is situated under lid 21, and withinthe main compartment of such container (also not shown).

FIG. 5 shows the underside of lid 21 of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and flexiblepouch 24 removably affixed to the underside of lid 21, with pouch 24 inthis case having lobes 24 a and 24 b. Lobes 24 a and 24 b, residing ontop of, above, or over, the contents of a main compartment (orcompartments) of a standard container (not shown), are generally formedfrom a flexible polyvinyl material, approximately two millimeters (2mil) in thickness. After closure and sealing with lid 21, the interiorof the main compartment of the container (not shown) over which the lidis placed is hermetically sealed away from the environment outside thecontainer, and the interior and its contents may be maintained insterile condition if required. After closure, a first fluid is alsohermetically sealed within lobe 24 a of pouch 24, and a second fluid ishermetically sealed within lobe 24 b. As with other embodiments of thepresent invention, each compartment may be filled with a combination offood (or fluid with additive) and inert gas, such as nitrogen, to retardspoilage and decomposition.

In FIG. 5, lobes 24 a and 24 b of pouch 24 are each formed with afrangible area or line 30 a and 30 b, which areas or lines are designedto rupture when lobes 24 a and 24 b are manipulated. Frangible areas orlines 30 a and 30 b will rupture before any other part of lobes 24 a and24 b of pouch 24 ruptures. Frangible areas or lines 30 a and 30 b may belocated at the periphery of lobes 24 a and 24 b, or they may be locatedanywhere else in the flexible material forming lobes 24 a and 24 b foundto be desirable for spreading the contents of lobes 24 a and 24 b overor into the contents of the main compartment (not shown) below lid 21.In FIG. 5, each of lobes 24 a and 24 b of pouch 24 is formed from twopolyfilm sheets, and each are sealed around their perimeters byapplication of heat after being filled with their fluid and othercontents, and attached to pull-tab 22.

FIG. 6 shows flexible pouch 24 in cross section as seen in FIG. 4, butseparately from lid 21, with first lobe 24 a and second lobe 24 b, andeach of these lobes attached to pull tab 22. During manufacture, lobes24 a and 24 b of pouch 24 are filled fluids, and thereby expanded, andflexible pouch 24 is then affixed to the underside of lid 21 near itscenter of lid 21. Pull tab 22 is inserted through opening a-a, and thenpressed against the top of lid 21 for storage or transport.

FIG. 7 shows lid 21 of FIG. 3 in cross section as in FIG. 4. In FIG. 7,however, the user has manipulated flexible pouch 24 by pulling on pulltab 22, thereby removing pouch 24 from the underside of lid 21, lobes 24a and 24 b, which are attached to pull tab 22, have been drawn towardand partially through opening a-a. Lobe 24 a and 24 b of pouch 24 haveeach been subjected to pressure as much of each lobe was drawn toward,and/or over a sharp point or points molded into the lid (not shown) toassist the rupture process, and through opening a-a, and such pressurehas resulted in rupture of frangible areas or lines 30 a and 30 b. Asfrangible areas or lines 30 a and 30 b are located at the periphery oflobes 24 a and 24 b in FIG. 7, the fluid contents of each lobe has beenejected from the distal ends of lobes 24 a and 24 b as each lobe wasdrawn to and partially through opening a-a, thereby spreading thecontents of lobes 24 a and 24 b over or into the contents of the maincompartment (not shown) below.

Third Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 8, a third embodiment of the present invention isshown in perspective view. In FIG. 8, cover 31 closes a largely verticalmixing container 32 for storing an transporting foods. Plastic tube 33containing salad dressing is inserted through cover 31, or from underthe cover, of container 32, through aperture 34, and extended intointerior 35 of container 32. Tube 33 in this embodiment is moved throughslot 35 from aperture 34 to approximately the center of cover 31 tooptimally deploy tube 33 within container 32 so that tube 33 is situatedover or within other foods (not shown). At its deployed location, slot35 provides a restriction through which tube 33 may be drawn. Pull ringis attached to tube 33, so that a user may apply tension to the end ofplastic tube 33. Upon applying such tension, some of plastic tube 33, orall of it, may be pulled up and through slot 35 in cover 31. In otherembodiments some of plastic tube 33 may be pulled up and throughaperture 34, which in such embodiments is of a dimension somewhatsmaller than the exterior of tube 33. Whether pulled through aperture 34or through slot 35, pressure is increased within 33 tube, and suchpressure forces the contents of tube 33 out its end, or out a hole ortear created as tube 33 ruptures from the increased pressure within.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view drawing of the vertical mixing container ofFIG. 8, in which the vertical container has been fitted with twointerior compartments, in an arrangement suitable for a baby bottle. InFIG. 9, water is stored in pouch 41 of bottle 40, and pouch 41 occupiesmost of the volume of bottle 40, as pouch 41 contains water intended tocreate fluid formula when mixed with the dry formula or powdered milkcontents of tube 42. Upon use, a user may pull first tab 43 on tube 42containing the powdered formula, and also pull second tab 44 on pouch 41containing water, thereby releasing each of these materials into theinterior of container 40. Upon shaking container 40 to mix its contents,and perhaps heating the contents, the mixed formula is now ready forconsumption by an infant using nipple 45, which may be attached to cover46, nipple 45 creating a channel through, cover 46.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of the present inventionis shown. In FIG. 10, a container 51 for storing and transporting foodsis shown, the container having at least an inner compartment 52 and anouter compartment 53. Inner compartment 52 is separated from outercompartment 53 by wall 54 of inner compartment 52, as inner compartment52 resides within outer compartment 53. Inner compartment 52 and outercompartment 53 are each closed and sealed. Thus, after closure andsealing, the interior of each compartment of container 51 ishermetically sealed away from the environment outside the container, andhermetically sealed away from the interior of each other compartment.

Inner compartment 52 resides within outer compartment 53, and apre-formed channel 55, formed in wall 54 of inner compartment 52, runsbetween inner compartment 52 and outer compartment 53. Wall 54 of innercompartment 52 is generally rigid or semi-rigid in character, so that asealing device 58 may be used to seal channel 55. Wall 60 of outercompartment is generally flexible enough that a user may manipulatesealing device 58 of inner container 52 through wall 60 of outercompartment 53. Channel 55 may be additionally closed by a firstfrangible or pealable seal (not shown) between wall 54 of innercompartment 52 and sealing device 58. Means for opening 61 innercompartment 52 to outer compartment 53 may be supplied, generally by wayof tab or lever 61. Means for opening outer compartment 53 (not shown),to supply access to the contents of the outer compartment, may also besupplied.

In operation of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 10, a user moves tab orlever 61 affixed over channel 55, thereby opening channel 55 betweeninner compartment 52 and outer compartment 53. The user's access to tabor lever 61 is through the flexible outer wall 60 of outer compartment53, rather than directly. The opening of channel 55 thereafter allowsthe transfer of fluids from inner compartment 52 to outer compartment53, a process which may be facilitated if the user squeezes innercompartment 52.

Fifth Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 11, a fifth embodiment of the present invention isshown. In FIG. 11, a medical apparatus for delivery of a drug or othermaterials to specific, and generally difficult to reach, locationswithin the body of a patient, is shown. FIG. 11 also shows arepresentation of an artery or vein, into which the medical apparatushas been inserted, and a representation of a blockage in that artery orvein.

In FIG. 11, tube 70 of appropriate length and diameter has distal end71, which is designed for insertion into artery 72. At distal end 71,and immediately within opening 73 of distal end 71, pouch 74 resides.Pouch 74 has a diameter when filled smaller than the diameter of opening73 of distal end 71. Proximate to such pouch, tube 70 is modified, oradditional material is added to its interior, so that the diameter ofthe tube is reduced, or restriction 75 is otherwise created on theinterior of tube 70. With such modification or restriction, pouch 74,when filled, cannot pass through restriction 75 and up tube 70 withoutfirst rupturing and spilling contents 76 into distal end 71 of tube 70.

To pouch 74 in FIG. 11 is attached steel wire, the length of which isapproximately that of the length of entire tube 70 (not all shown), sothat wire 77 is attached to pouch 74 at one end of wire 77, and extendsout from the end of tube 70 at its other end (also not shown). At theend of tube 70 away from pouch 74, ring 78 is affixed to wire 77, sothat one may actuate tab 78. Upon such actuation, pouch 74 is pulledtoward and into restriction 75 adjacent pouch 74, as wire 77 transmitstension from tab 78 to pouch 74.

As pouch 74 is pulled into restriction 75, pouch 74 decreases indiameter, thereby putting pressure on the contents 76 of pouch 74, andeventually rupturing it. The rupture may occur at or along a frangiblepoint or section (not shown) designed into the pouch, or the rupture mayoccur at other points in the side of pouch 74 as it is punctured by oneor more sharp projections 79 affixed to the interior surface of tube 70,or to a surface of restriction 75. Upon rupture of pouch 74, contents 76(generally a drug) are released from pouch 74. As distal end 73 of tube70 is open, contents 76 also migrates out of tube 70 and into the fluidof the blood of a patient, to find its way to the location intended fortreatment 80.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined,rather broadly, so that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. Additional features of specificembodiments of the invention will be described below. However, beforeexplaining preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, it may benoted briefly that the present invention substantially departs frompre-existing apparatus and methods of the prior art, and in so doingprovides the user with the highly desirable ability to store, transport,mix, and dispense foods and fluids at a location distant from theirpreparation, and at a time later than their preparation, using a varietyof specific apparatus and methods. Each such apparatus and method setforth above is an example of the invention as a whole. However, thepresent invention is best considered as all aparatii and methods whichallow a user to reach these goals by means of the application ofpressure or tension from the exterior of such aparatii, prior to openingsuch aparatii to the exterior environment, which pressure or tension istransmitted to the interior of the apparatus to create pressure. In mostpreferred embodiments, the pressure is created as one or more pouchesare drawn to, and at least partially into or through a narrowing “pinchpoint,” slot, or channel, whereupon frangible portions of the pouchrupture. Ruptured pouches release fluids which then mix with othermaterials, or are otherwise released at desirable locations. The generalprinciple embodied in this broad statement of operation may beappreciated when separately considering the construction and operationof the tube or pouch within a pinch point as disclosed in thisinvention, then by considering how the tube or pouch may be positionedin, and operate, in rigid and flexible containers.

Turning first to the pouch or tube, FIG. 12 shows a tube or pouch of thepresent invention 90 extending through, and residing partially throughslot or pinch point 91 in rigid material 92. Rigid material 92 may bepart of a top or cover to be placed over the opening of a rigidcontainer (not shown), or rigid material 92 may be incorporated into thewall of a flexible container (not shown) in a fluid tight fashion. Oneend 93 of tube 90, has been collapsed or gathered after tube 90 issituated withing pinch point 91, and then end 93 of tube 90 is,generally joined with pull ring 94. Pull ring 94 forms hole 95, throughwhich a user may insert a finger or other pulling device (not shown) toapply tension. FIG. 13 shows the same tube, pinch point, and pull ringappearing in FIG. 12, but shows this arrangement from an angle ofrotation of about 90 degrees. From such angle, the gathering of end 93of tube 90 as end 93 extends through pinch point 91 in material 92 maybe easily seen. Ring 94 is from this angle viewed edge on, so its hole95 for insertion of a user's finger is not apparent.

In FIG. 14 through FIG. 17, the operation of the tube or pouch by a usermay be seen. In this series of figures, the tube or pouch in again seenfrom an angle of rotation of about 90 degrees. In such operation, tube90 initially resides almost entirely below rigid material 92, with tubeend 91 and ring 94 extending little above pinch point 91. However, asthe user employs ring 94 to apply tension to end 93 in FIG. 15, and asring 94 is connect to end 93 of tube 90, tube 90 has begun to be drawnthrough pinch point 93 in rigid material 92. In this process, the volumeof tube 90 is reduced, so that pressure is increased within tube 90.FIG. 16 shows the operation of tube 90 within pinch point 91 continued,and the beginning of the release of contents 95 from within tube 90, astube 90 ruptures. Tube 90 generally will rupture at frangible point,line, or region 96 of tube 90, as one may achieve customized mixing, oroptimal mixing of contents 95 with materials residing outside tube 90 byplanning a weakened, narrowed, or thinned frangible point, line, orregion. FIG. 17 shows the operation of tube 90 within pinch point 91 atyet a later stage as user applies tension to ring 94, and contents 95are mainly release from tube 90 as tube 90 is drawn by end 93 throughpinch point 91 in material 92.

Turning next to how the tube or pouch of the present in invention may bepositioned in, and operate, in flexible containers (such as the fourthpreferred embodiment herein), FIG. 18 shows a part of a flexiblecontainer 100, consisting of wall 101 and wall 102, which form a volumetherein, and line for opening 103 container 100 so materials (not shown)which have been mixed within container 100 may be removed after mixing.As noted herein, container 100 in this instance is formed from flexibleplastic, or other flexible material. Opening 103 may be as simple as athinning of walls 101 and/or 102 of container 100, or opening may be“zipped” shut after opening in a variety of ways known in the art. InFIG. 18, first tube 105 extending into container 100 after manufacture,and end 106 of tube 105 extends out from container 100 through pinchpoint 107 formed in rigid material 108. Ring 109 is attached to end 106.Similarly, FIG. 18 shows second tube 110 extending into container 100after manufacture, and end 111 of tube 110 extending out from container100 through pinch point 112 formed in rigid material 113, and ring 114is attached to end 111. In operation, a user may deploy the contents(not shown) of tube 105 into container 100, or the contents (not shown)of tube 110 into container 100, or the contents of both tube 105 andtube 110 into container 100, using the process shown in the series ofFIG. 14 through FIG. 17, merely by pulling on ring 109 or ring 114, orboth ring 109 and ring 114. The contents of tube 105 and tube 110 maythereby be mixed within container 100, or one of such contents, or both,may be mixed with materials already residing within the larger volume ofcontainer 100.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show the present invention when employed in a rigidcontainer (such as the third preferred embodiment herein). In FIG. 19,end 116 of tube 115 extends through pinch point 117 formed in rigidmaterial 118. Rigid material 118 is in this case embedded in top orclosure 119, which may be formed in sizes to fit over the openings ofcontainers of standard size (not shown), or rigid top or closure 119 canbe made convex to sit on the sides of the lid, with ring 120 set in ahigher position, so tube 115, with a mass of contents to be mixed, isnot touching the product into which it is going to be mixed. Ring 120 isattached to end 116. Similarly, FIG. 20 shows end 122 of tube 121extending through pinch point 123 formed in rigid material 124. Rigidmaterial 124 is in this case also embedded in top or closure 125, whichin this case is mated to outer container 127, so that a user may haveall that is necessary to store and/or transport materials (not shown).In operation, a user may deploy the contents (not shown) of tube 115into a container of suitable size (not shown), or the contents (notshown) of tube 121 into container 127, using the process shown in theseries of FIG. 14 through FIG. 17, merely by pulling on ring 120 or ring126. The contents of tube 115 may thereby be mixed with materials withina suitable container (not shown), and the contents (not shown) of tube121 may thereby be mixed within container 127 with materials alreadyresiding within the larger volume of container 127.

FIG. 21 shows an entire flexible container 130, consisting of outer wall131 and interior volume 132, within which water or other materials (notshown) may reside. Exit chutes or shafts 133 may be formed in part ofouter wall 131, or formed separately at attached to outer wall 131, forallowing the materials within container 130 to escape. One example ofsuch arrangement may be found in medical “unit” bags used to supplyfluids or blood or medicine to patients. When formed into such medicalbags, the materials which have been mixed within container 130 of thepresent invention may flow freely through chutes 133 unless or untilsuch flow is prevented by the operation of valve or clip 134. As notedherein, container 130 in this instance is formed from flexible plastic,or other flexible material. In FIG. 21, tube 135 extends into container130 after manufacture, and end 136 of tube 135 extends out fromcontainer 130 through pinch point 137 formed in rigid material 138. Ring139 is attached to end 136. In operation, a user may deploy the contents(not shown) of tube 135 into container 130 using the process shown inthe series of FIG. 14 through FIG. 17, merely by pulling on ring 139.The contents of tube 135 may thereby be mixed within container 130 withmaterials already residing within the larger volume of container 130.Thereafter, materials which have been mixed within container 130 mayflow freely through chutes 133 unless or until such flow is prevented bythe operation of valve or clip 134, just as in the case of a standardmedical bag.

FIG. 22 shows a tube assembly 150. The tube assembly 150 includes acontent dispensing tube 90 extending predominantly on a first side of arigid mounting member 141. Tube 90 connects through to the other secondside of mounting member 141 and securely attaches to a ring 94 or othergrip for pulling tube 90 from the first side member 141 to the secondside. The tube assembly 150 includes a container tube 140 that iscollapsed on the second side of member 141 and juxtaposed tube 90. Thetube 140 securely attaches to ring 94 and is positioned over and encasesone end of tube 90 whereby tube 90 is sealed within tube 140 on thesecond side of mounting member 141 by the attachment to ring 90. Thecontainer tube 140 is also attached to member 141, for example, bygluing, heating or otherwise affixing with a tight seal. The seal oftube 140 to member 141 is located, for example, on the surface of thesecond side of mounting member 141 around the bottom 143 of tube 140.Mounting member 141 is used to attach tube assembly 150 to a rigid orflexible container, such as the containers 100, 127 and 130 shown inFIG. 18, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. Member 141 of FIG. 22 is similar to thematerial 92 of FIG. 12 through FIG. 17. Although not seen in FIG. 22,member 141 includes a region or material like material 92 of FIG. 12having a slot 91 (not shown in FIG. 22, see FIG. 28). In FIG. 22, whenthe ring 94 is pulled and displaced relative to member 141, thedispensing tube 90 is squeezed as it moves from the first side to thesecond side of member 141. At the same time that tube 90 is squeezed andmoves from the first side to the second side of member 141, thecontainer tube 140 expands to hold tube 90. FIG. 23 shows the assembly150 of FIG. 22 at an angle of rotation of about 90 degrees. Ring 94 isfrom this angle is viewed edge on.

In the figure series FIG. 24 through FIG. 28, the operation of drawingthe dispenser tube 90 and the container tube 141 is shown from the same90 degree angle as FIG. 23. In such operation, tube 90 initially residesalmost entirely on the first side of rigid member 141 and container tube140 remains collapsed on the second side of member 141. In the seriesFIG. 24 through FIG. 28, the tube 90 is being pinched into a squeezedportion 93 to release the contents 95 in the same manner as shown anddescribed in connection with FIG. 14 through FIG. 17. The portion oftube 90 as squeezed to flat portion 93 cannot be seen in FIG. 24 throughFIG. 27 since it is hidden from view and contained internally withincontainer tube 140. In FIG. 28, container tube 140 is partially cut awayto reveal portion 92 of member 141 having a slot 91 that has squeezedtube 90 (not viewable in FIG. 28) entirely into the squeezed portion 93.When thus squeezed, essentially all of the contents 95 has beenexpelled.

1. A mixing assembly comprising: a content dispensing frangible chambermember, formed to hold contents therewithin; a pressure point memberformed of rigid material, the pressure point member having a narrowpassage formed therethrough; the content dispensing frangible chambermember extends through the narrow passage of the pressure point member;a container having an opening and a volume therewithin, the containerhaving a wall, and the pressure point member is affixed to the wall ofthe container in fluid-tight fashion; a first portion of the contentdispensing frangible chamber member extends into the container, and asecond portion of the content dispensing frangible chamber memberextends outside the container, when the pressure point member is affixedto the wall of the container in fluid-tight fashion; and a tensionmeans, attached to the portion of the frangible chamber member extendingoutside the container; whereby the first portion of the frangiblechamber member is ruptured when the frangible chamber member is pulledthrough the narrow passage of the pressure point member using thetension means, and the contents within the frangible chamber member arereleased.
 2. The mixing assembly of claim 1, in which the wall of thecontainer may be placed over, and removed from, the opening of thecontainer.
 3. The mixing assembly of claim 1, further comprising awater-tight container tube, a first end of the container tube isattached in fluid-tight fashion to the pressure point member, a secondend of the container tube is attached in fluid-tight fashion to thesecond portion of the content dispensing frangible chamber member. 4.The mixing assembly of claim 3, in which the wall of the container maybe placed over, and removed from, the opening of the container.
 5. Amixing assembly comprising: a plurality of content dispensing frangiblechamber members, formed to hold contents therewithin; a plurality ofpressure point members formed of rigid material, the pressure pointmembers having narrow passages formed therethrough; the contentdispensing frangible chamber members extend through the narrow passagesof the pressure point members; a container having an opening and avolume therewithin, the container having a wall, and the pressure pointmembers are affixed to the wall of the container in fluid-tight fashion;a first portion of the content dispensing frangible chamber membersextend into the container, and a second portion of the contentdispensing frangible chamber members extend outside the container, whenthe pressure point members are affixed to the wall of the container influid-tight fashion; and a plurality of tension means, attached to theportions of the frangible chamber members extending outside thecontainer; whereby the first portions of the frangible chamber membersare ruptured when the frangible chamber members are pulled through thenarrow passages of the pressure point members using the tension means,and the contents within the frangible chamber members are released. 6.The mixing assembly of claim 5, in which the wall of the container maybe placed over, and removed from, the opening of the container.
 7. Themixing assembly of claim 5, further comprising a plurality ofwater-tight container tubes, a first ends of the container tubes areattached in fluid-tight fashion to the respective pressure pointmembers, a second end of the container tubes are attached in fluid-tightfashion to the second portions of the respective content dispensingfrangible chamber members.
 8. The mixing assembly of claim 7, in whichthe wall of the container may be placed over, and removed from, theopening of the container.
 9. A container for storing materialscomprising: a first outer compartment having a flexible wall; a secondinner compartment having a substantially semi-rigid wall; the secondinner compartment residing within the first outer compartment; thesecond inner compartment having a channel formed in the second innercontainer wall; means for sealing the channel formed in the second innercontainer wall; and means for opening the channel in the second innercontainer wall by opening the channel sealing means.
 10. The containerof claim 9, further comprising means for opening the flexible wall ofthe first outer container.
 11. A container for storing materialscomprising: a first wall having an opening; a second wall forming anopen compartment having a volume; the first wall adapted to fit tightlyover the open compartment of the second wall, thereby creating a sealedspace between the first wall and the second wall; a closure residingbetween the first wall and the second wall, the closure having achannel, the channel having a mouth; the first wall adapted to fittightly over the closure, thereby creating a sealed space between thefirst wall and the closure upon sealing the mouth of the channel; afirst seal, adapted to seal the mouth of the channel, the first sealpositioned over the mouth of the channel to thereby seal the channel;means for transmitting tension to the first seal to break it away fromthe mouth of the channel, the means for transmitting tension to thefirst seal extending from the first seal, through the space between thefirst wall and the closure, and through the opening in the first wall,and to the exterior of the container; and a second seal, residing overthe opening in the first wall, the second seal adapted to fit snuglyaround the means for transmitting tension to the first seal, the secondseal closing the opening in the first wall.
 12. The container of claim11, in which the second seal is firmly attached to the means fortransmitting tension to the first seal, with frangible connectionbetween the second seal and the first wall.
 13. A lid for sealing acontainer comprising: a substantially flat lid body having an openingtherethrough, the lid body having a lip at its edge for engaging acontainer wall; a pouch having at least one lobe formed from a thinsheet of material, the lobe having an interior and at least onefrangible line in the thin sheet of material; means for pulling thepouch through the opening in the lid body, thereby increasing pressurewithin the interior of the pouch; and the means for pulling the pouchextends through the opening in the lid body, and is attached to the lobealong a line substantially distal from the frangible line in the thinsheet of the lobe.
 14. The lid of claim 13, in which the pouch has twolobes, each lobe having an interior and at least one frangible line inthe thin sheet of material, each lobe being attached to the means forpulling the pouch.
 15. The lid of claim 13, in which the opening in thelid body is near the center of the lid body.
 16. The lid of claim 13, inwhich the opening in the lid body is near one side of the lid body. 17.The lid of claim 13, in which the opening in the lid body is a narrowslit, and the means for pulling the pouch is a strip formed to fitwithin the slit.
 18. The lid of claim 13, in which the pouch isremovably affixed to the underside of the lid body, such that the pouchmay break away from the underside of the body of the lid when tension isapplied to the means for pulling the pouch.
 19. A mixing bottlecomprising: a container having a wall, a volume therewithin, and anopening; the container having a substantially rigid lid, the top havinga narrow passage formed therethrough; a content dispensing frangiblechamber member, formed to hold contents therewithin; the contentdispensing frangible chamber member extends through the narrow passagein the lid; a first portion of the content dispensing frangible chambermember extends from the lid into the container, and a second portion ofthe content dispensing frangible chamber member extends outside thecontainer from the lid, when the pressure lid is placed over the openingof the container; and a tension means, attached to the portion of thefrangible chamber member extending outside the container; whereby thefirst portion of the frangible chamber member is ruptured when thefrangible chamber member is pulled through the narrow passage of the lidusing the tension means, and the contents within the frangible chambermember are released.
 20. A medical device comprising: a tube having awall, a first opening at a first end, a second opening at a second end,and a volume therewithin; the tube has a substantially rigid restrictionnear the first end of the tube, the restriction has a narrow passageformed therethrough; a content dispensing frangible chamber member,formed to hold contents therewithin; the content dispensing frangiblechamber member extends through the narrow passage in the restriction; afirst portion of the content dispensing frangible chamber member extendsfrom the restriction into the first end of the tube, and a secondportion of the content dispensing frangible chamber member extendstoward the second end of the tube from the restriction; and a tensionmeans, attached to the portion of the frangible chamber member extendingtoward the second end of the tube; whereby the first portion of thefrangible chamber member is ruptured when the frangible chamber memberis pulled through the narrow passage of the restriction using thetension means, and the contents within the frangible chamber member arereleased.
 21. A dispensing assembly for dispensing contents comprising:a pressure point member formed of rigid material and having a openingforming a narrow passage through the rigid material; a frangible tubehaving a first part extending through the opening and squeezed by thenarrow passage and having a second part forming a volume for holding thecontents; and a grip attached to the first part of the frangible tubefor pulling the second part of the frangible tube through the narrowpassage to cause the second part to break and release the contents. 22.The dispensing assembly of claim 21 further comprising: a container tubeattached to the grip and to the pressure point member to form a sealedvolume for containing the frangible tube pulled through the narrowpassage.
 23. A mixing assembly comprising: a pressure point memberformed of rigid material and having a opening forming a narrow passagethrough the rigid material; a frangible tube having a first partextending through the opening and squeezed by the narrow passage andhaving a second part forming a tube volume for holding the contents; agrip attached to the first part of the frangible tube for pulling thesecond part of the frangible tube through the narrow passage to causethe second part to break and release the contents; and a mixingcontainer having walls forming a container volume where the pressurepoint member is attached to one of said walls and extends the secondpart of the frangible tube and the tube volume into the container volumewhereby the contents of the frangible tube are released into the mixingcontainer.